The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-04-22
TIE CULTURE nF CARP.


interesting
I'm many sections O. WestmOreland
county there are persons who very rarely
taste fresh fish. Because of their re-
moteness from markets, and because of
the further tact, with the exception of
the ridge country. All the streams have
become depopulated through the wash
OF the coal mines. very large majority
have come to look upOa a fresh FISH as a
luxury. Aud yet it is possible for almost
every farmer TO b .ye abundance of fresh
fish At bis door With little more trouble
and not as much expense as the poultry
~ his barn-yard. This result can be
attained IN the culture of the German
carp. Ten years ago the L. s. Fish
Commission had number of these food
fish imported for experiment in this
country. l. has since been found that
they can be propagatsd in all parts of the
United States as successfully as III
Europe. TueIe are at present probably
over 100 carp ponds in different parts Of
this county. From those established
two or three years ago the owners are
now reaping a rich rewaId. The rapid
growth and wonderful manner in which
these fish multiply. as demonstrated III
this locality. has oeen noted st different
times in the columns Of the Democrat.
There is no good reason why almost every
one OF the ), 400 farms in WestmOreland
should not have its carp pond. In the
hope still further awakening interest on
the subject we offer some facts and hints
on carp culture
Ponds may be- made Of almost any
siz-. Ole-quarter os An acre, it has
been estimated, stocked with yearlings,
will produce about 500 pounds Of carp
for use annually. A location for the
pond should be found in the vicinity of
a small stream ot unp1lluted water or
spring Swamp land can sometimes be
utilized. The pond should not be built
by directly dsmning the stream. Locate
the pond OIL the side OF the stream, and
conduct the water thither by such
arrangement as will enable one to supply
the pond with large or small flow as
nav be- deemed necessary. The dam
shoaId be located at a sufficient distance
above the pond TO allow of fall great
enough for an easy descent Of the water
to the pond. / the bottom is alluvial'
it should be covered with clay or heavy
loan before the water is turned in. Put
in at least six inches Of clay and puddle
Y.sv L., cf,-
be s0lidly built and considerably W ider
al the bottom than at the top. To make
the pond proof against both muskrats
and cray fish, the middle OF the EN-
banknant should be filled with small
stones aud the interstices between the
latter with sand or fine gravel. If the
slOne filling is made a foot or two lower
than he embanknent, 1t is all the better.
A kettle or pool should be located near
the breast Of the pond, where the drain
pipe for enptyiug is placed. The ke:-
tie should be a foot OF Is inches deeper
than the other part OF the pond, and be
connected with the faIthest part of the
pond hy ditch about one foot deep and
three feet wide. Small side bitches
should also be dug from the edges OF
the pond 80 this main, central ditch, so
that when it is desired to drain the
pond all the fish and water may be
drawn into :he kettle. The pond should
be graded from the outer edges toward
the kettle, commonly with a depth of
water or inches, and gradually in
creasing urtil the kettle is reached.
The overflow pipe should be so arranged
that the water in the kettle shall not be
less than feet. This is necessary as
the fish usually retire there and remain
during the cod weather. When the
SIN shines and the temperature Of the
water is raised they again venture into
the shallow. The pond should be
located so as to have as much exposure
to the sun as possible so that the water
may be kept warm. If the supply is
from a spring, the water should be re.
quired to flow through an open broad
channel. that the chHiiness may be re
duced before it enters the pond. Wher
the pond is frozen over in the winter
time. holes should be cut in the ice Al
intervals that the fish may have air
Care must be taken that frogs, snakes
muskrats, or other fish do not fnd theif
way into the pand
The fish spawn in their second year
1t is said a female carp, weighing o
pounds, contains from 400 600 to 500
900 eggs. Aquatic plants are generalI,
placed in ponds on which the spawl
may be deposited. 1t is found. however
that a still better plan is to place som
brush in the edges OF the pond. Afte
the spawn has been deposited Thereon
the brush should be removed to a secou.
pond, where the young may hatch out
The larger carp consume the spawn
The carp is shy and cunning. He doe
not delight in exposing himself to tn
general gaze. Care must consequent
be taken that the pond does not becom
over-stocked. Draw off the pond OF
casionally that a knowledge of its cor
ditiCn may De ascertained and th
drains leading to the kettle cleared {
any Instructions. Feed the fish ofte
and they will fatten and thrive. The
will eat with "A relish the refuse froi
the table, whether il be bits of mea
bread or vegetables. Cut the food I'M
small pieces and distribute near Il
bank. An occasional glimpse of T.
fish can be obtained when they a